SWANSEA CITY club captain Garry Monk says throwing “my toys out of the pram” was never an option as he contemplated life as a Liberty Stadium understudy.

SWANSEA CITY club captain Garry Monk says throwing “my toys out of the pram” was never an option as he contemplated life as a Liberty Stadium understudy.

Veteran defender Monk is ready to deputise again and help take Michael Laudrup’s men a step closer to Wembley tomorrow night.

With defensive rock Ashley Williams out of the Capital One Cup quarter-final with Middlesbrough after picking up five bookings, Monk could return to the heart of the defence.

Monk figured in three unbeaten games last month – including the 1-1 home draw with Chelsea and the 2-1 win at Newcastle – when Chico Flores was ruled out through injury.

The 33-year-old showed his ability to pick up the pace of games straightaway, and that could be a key factor when Laudrup chooses between Monk and young Kyle Bartley to line up against high-flying Championship opponents at the Liberty Stadium.

“I played three-and-a-half games recently and thought I did as well as I could,” said Monk, whose short spell in the side actually began in the previous round of the Capital One Club – a 3-1 win at Liverpool – when Chico came off injured after an hour.

“When you haven’t played a game for so long to go straight into a game of that magnitude (Anfield) was really difficult.

“But I’m professional enough and look after myself to make sure I’m as fit as possible.

“It’s all I can ask of myself and I thought I did OK. It is the manager’s decision whether I play.

“He has his own players who he wants to play and I understand that I’m not first choice at the club.

“But all I can do is to do my best whenever I’m given the chance.”

And Monk has shown he is the consummate professional, refusing to cause any ripples despite being out of the first-team picture under Laudrup.

“Normally it’s good to keep the defenders as constant as possible,” he said.

“It can be difficult to get games as a defender which is frustrating.

“But no matter how I am feeling, whether it’s disappointment or whatever, I won’t show that to the team or the other players, especially on a matchday and around the dressing room.

“It doesn’t benefit anyone. You don’t need a negative vibe in the squad.

“It is hard for someone like myself because I have an affection for the club.

“You want to put the white shirt on week-in, week-out and when you’re not doing that it is pretty hard to take.

“But I’ve been in the game long enough to know that I’m not going to throw my toys out of the pram or cause trouble because it doesn’t benefit anyone.

“I want the club to do well and if you want to be successful you must have competition in the squad.

“You want everyone to do well because it benefits the club, but all the players are trying their hardest to get the shirt.”

Monk – who has made over 250 Swansea appearances since arriving from Barnsley on a free transfer in 2004 – almost joined Bristol City in August when it became clear that he was not part of Laudrup’s long-term plans. But an injury at the time scuppered the deal and Monk stayed at Swansea to provide both experienced cover and an important presence in the dressing room.

“Being totally honest I probably would have gone (to Bristol City),” he said.

“I wanted to play games and the manager made it clear that I’m not going to play here underneath him.

“It was difficult to take. I feel I’ve still got a lot to offer playing-wise for the club and the team.

“But I got a back spasm coming back from America. The Bristol manager (Derek McInnes) was keen on getting someone in as soon as possible before the deadline went.

“I wasn’t quite ready. I was fit a couple of weeks after that. They weren’t prepared to wait and rightly so. That killed it.

“It wasn’t going to happen so I was left here.

“Instead of moping about and saying I’m not part of the plans I thought I’d get my head down, work hard and hope for an opportunity.

“Thankfully one came up.”

Monk’s standing in the dressing room is acknowledged by Bartley, ironically his rival to partner Chico against Middlesbrough.

“What I’ve noticed is that they’re all very good professionals,” said 21-year-old Bartley, a £1m summer signing from Arsenal and now over the injury which has restricted him to a solitary Swans appearance in the Capital One Cup win over Barnsley back in August.

“It’s been fantastic for me. Ash is a great captain and Monks as well, so it’s two people to look up to.

“The manager is new but he’s settled in well and done a really good job.

“I’m just eager to get involved and show everyone at Swansea what I’m capable of.”

Bartley has been back in training the last couple of weeks and made the bench for Saturday’s 4-3 Premier League defeat to Norwich.

“I played in the under-21s game against Brighton, which was good for me to get a run-out,” he said.

“I’m just happy to be back and involved with the lads in the squad, because they’ve always made me feel really welcome.

“I do feel a part of the team already. It’s good to be back on the bench and it’s an exciting time for me.”

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